One of the best Detroit bands ever to grace the garage scene, The Gories, is back!

The Gories lasted roughly from 1986-1992 and are a delightfully primitive sounding, hard rocking group signed to the influential Crypt Records and including Motor City icon and guitarist/singer Mick Collins (who would later form The Dirtbombs), Peg O'Neill and Dan Kroha (also of Rocket 455and The Demolition Doll Rods).

After a nearly 20-year break, the Gories reformed last summer for a European tour (with quick Detroit and Memphis reunion shows), while those of us who are fans across the USA collectively held our breath, crossing our fingers for some more spread-out dates here. The time has come to breathe freely again -- The Gories are coming!

Among the most awesome benefits to living in San Francisco, the Castro Theater is a true landmark, built in 1922. Its gilded decor, elegant murals and one serious art deco chandelier (don't wanna be sitting under her during an earthquake!), plus the consistently fantastic film programming all add up to give us one phenomenal place to take in the full cinematic experience. Then when you add in the organ player, who is raised and lowered into the stage, rousing the crowd before each show with old timey and apt hits like "San Francisco," your brain just might explode with kitchy throwback fireworks. Truly, one of the best things ever.

For the past 14 years, Silent Film fans from around the country have flocked to the Castro for the Silent Film Festival, and now here it is, the 15th anniversary of this uniquely San Franciscan event!

The festivities kicked off last night and will continue through the weekend with screenings of films such as Metropolis, The Strong Man by Frank Capra, Diary of a Lost Girl starring Louise Brooks, Man with a Movie Camera, and plenty more. Additionally, both Metropolis and Man with a Movie Camera will be scored live by the Alloy Orchestra! Head to the Castro Theater website for full listings and ticket information.

Did y'all know that back in the day there was a creek running through what we now call the Mission District of our beautiful San Francisco? And it was large enough to have been deemed "navigable" in old maps and have a bridge built over it? Yup, we live on top of one of the largest, most paved over former estuaries in the world. What once was is where the title of the Mission Creek Music Festival comes from -- and this yearly fest is happening right here and now in San Francisco!

Upcoming highlights include Little Wings playing at an art opening for Kyle Ranson at Mission hot spot Adobe Books this Friday, July 15th.

On Saturday, July 17th, McLaren Park in Diamond Heights will host hipsters galore at a free show! The lineup includes The Fresh and Onlys, Grass Widow, Miranda Lee Richards and Ganglians, among many others. The all-day event will also host DJs between sets, indie vendors and food carts!
And, also on the 17th but at the regular night shift time, the always-awesome Howlin' Rain, 3 Leafs and Sean Smith & The Present Moment will hit the El Rio!

Charlie Louvin is a true music legend, releasing Country music classics as one half of the Louvin Brothers, eventually becoming a member Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and, in more recent years, also having his own solo career. He just turned 83 last week. A few years back I had the distinct honor of working with this icon at his Amoeba SF instore performance. Charlie's a Southern gentleman to the core and he also had me cracking up all day, flirting relentlessly and making cracks about "tramp stamps." He's quite a character and a consummate entertainer -- they don't make em like that anymore.

So when I read today that Charlie has just been diagnosed with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer, my heart dropped. He will undergo a surgery on July 22.

Charlie, all of us here at Amoeba are thinking of you and sending our love to you out in Tennessee!

You can get a tiny peek of our experience with Mr. Louvin right here, in this interview and performance from 2007 at Amoeba SF: